Being made in the image of God could include giving off a “glow” until bodily death.
A newly released study of ultraweak photon emission (UPE) found not only that human beings give off light — a glow so faint it’s impossible to see with the naked eye — but that the glow disappears upon death.
The fact humans glow was first discovered in 2009. This latest data, compiled by scientists from the University of Calgary and published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, analyzed the phenomenon, which comes via the emission of biophotons, in mice before and after death, concluding the light quickly fades when organisms die.
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
“The fact that ultraweak photon emission is a real thing is undeniable at this point,” the study’s senior author, Dan Oblak, told New Scientist. “This really shows that this is not just an imperfection or caused by other biological processes. It’s really something that comes from all living things.”
As for how it works, the “powerhouse” cell — the mitochondria — releases microscopic amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a byproduct while it is producing the energy needed to sustain life. The ROS then react with other molecules in the body, like proteins, lipids, and fluorophones, which, in turn, emits biophotons that give off light.
Could the “glow” humans emit be a result of being made in the image of God?
There are several Scripture passages that indicate human beings are made in God’s image — Genesis 1:27 and 2 Corinthians 3:18, among others. And there are other verses that describe God as an overwhelming and bright light.
To read the full story, visit our content partners at Faithwire.
Reprinted with permission from faithwire.com. Copyright © 2025 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
